The Galveston City Council on Feb. 19 voted to authorize the city manager to execute documents stating the city has no ownership interest in the Colonel paddle wheeler, following staff review of title records and a 1989 agreement the council said appeared to transfer ownership to the Park Board.

Staff told the council that museum attorneys and Park Board counsel had provided an abstract of title from the U.S. Coast Guard that indicated the city as the listed owner. City staff said they reviewed archival documents, including a 1989 agreement and a deed of gift provided by the museum and the Park Board, and found no documentation supporting city ownership. One staff member summarized the parties’ position: “They believe this is a clerical error,” and said council legal staff would ensure any transfer or documentation process would not impose costs on the city.

The motion approved by the four council members present directed the city attorney and city manager to prepare and execute the documents necessary to reflect that the city does not own the vessel, with any costs related to the transaction to be borne by the Park Board or the museum. Council members noted the vessel needs maintenance and that the museum and Park Board had said they were pursuing a sale; staff cautioned that dry-docking and repairs could be expensive and that clarifying title was a precondition to any sale.

Council member Rollins seconded the motion. Council recorded the vote as approved by the four members in attendance: Rob, Rollins, Peretta and Mayor Brown.

City staff said they would work with the city attorney to confirm there are no city liabilities tied to the vessel’s title and to seek assurances that any transfer or fees would be the responsibility of the Park Board or museum rather than the city. The council did not identify any additional follow-up actions at the meeting beyond authorizing the manager to execute the non-ownership documents.